What I Learned in January

I do love learning. I’m usually pretty intentional about it. But more often than not learning happens just because of living. Although I prefer learning in an elaborate library, the schoolhouse located on the landscape of our lives might be where most of the real learning is done. For a while now I’ve reflected on things I’ve learned during the latest life month and shared them here with you.  Here’s my latest offering.

That I might be an introvert  I’ve been reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain, and am seeing spot-on descriptions of myself in its pages. Maybe I’m not so surprised. Years ago I was told I ‘d miscalculated my personality type. I wasn’t sure I believed it although it came from a certified personality coach.  Now I’m thinking maybe she was right. While reading Quiet I caught myself sighing as Cain tells of attending a retreat designed especially for introverts where attendees were informed they would stay in rooms designated for “napping, journaling, puttering, meditating, organizing, and reflecting”. To me (minus the napping), it sounded like heaven. Other signs I might be an introvert: sensitive to coffee (check), noise (absolutely), interruptions and distractions (without a doubt), averse to small talk (yep), enjoy solitude (oh, so much), and prefer listening to talking (please…tell me your story!). Nevertheless, when Cain addressed the subject of public speaking, people’s number one fear, I thought I might be disqualified from the introvert club since I feel like a fish in water at a podium, but surprisingly for the introvert it isn’t public speaking that causes anxiety, it’s extemporaneous public speaking! This is me, for sure. Insight into an introvert’s preferences regarding entertaining and hospitality explained some things that have puzzled me for years.  Thanks to this book I’ve gained some enormously helpful information not only about myself but others too. I’m feeling much less “flawed” as a result, and am realizing how to make adjustments that might prove quite liberating. Something’s already changing since my shopping of late has consisted almost entirely of choosing items needed for entertaining. Yep, I think I might even designate my dining room as just that…a room for dining and entertaining instead of the office it’s been for years. Be patient with me though, friends, because according to Quiet, introverts approach change slowly and with apprehension. Baby steps…

That the rule has changed about how many spaces to leave after a period   Am I the last to know this?  Where was I when it changed?  Granted, I haven’t written a manuscript and thus haven’t been worried about the format needed to impress a would-be publisher.  As I type this now I catch myself double-tapping that spacebar. No doubt, this will take some getting used to. Although a myriad of keystrokes will be saved, I’m sure my typing speed will suffer, my brain having to engage where once it performed the task without thought. There’s some disagreement over whether there’s a right or wrong concerning this, and the history cited explaining the reasoning behind the antiquated two space rule is somewhat flawed. Nevertheless, it’s something to be aware of, which I wasn’t.

That I can learn a foreign language for free through my local library  Mango Languages is an online language program quite similar to Rosetta Stone. Interactive audio, pronunciation helpers, and even an app for your smartphone, this language program is a pleasure to use. I just wish I’d known about this during my years of homeschooling. If you’re interested in learning another language or are headed to a foreign country and need some conversational skills, it might be worth your time to check it out.  To find out if Mango is available through your library go to http://www.findmango.com

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More about our newest Florida neighbors   Since we’re seasonal Florida residents we’d only spent a few months with our new neighbors, but we knew quickly a quality friendship was in the making. Having accepted their invitation and spent a week visiting them at their home in Mexico, we now know much more to appreciate about these special people. It’s undeniable that the kindness and generosity they extended to us is in no way limited to only invited guests, but is extended to everyone they encounter…from the prominent to the poor, the aged to the adolescent, from the footloose to the footmen. Only time will tell of the joy our association with these newfound friends will bring.

Just how fascinating Mexico is  This country and its people captivated us during our recent visit.  The countryside, climate, and culture,  the colors, craftsmanship, and cuisine… all were an unexpected delight.  Our adventure there was truly a rich experience that I’m so very grateful to have had. Once again, our utmost thanks to our magnanimous hosts for indulging us so.

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“I’ve seen how you can’t learn anything when you’re trying to look like the smartest person in the room.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver

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